Charles E. Bennett Elementary

"The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character – that is the goal of true education." — Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Today, we honor the life and enduring legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. His vision of equality, justice, and the power of education continues to guide us as we work to empower every student in Clay County. 🎓✨

📌 REMINDER: All schools and district offices are closed today, Monday, January 19, in observance of the holiday. Classes will resume tomorrow.

#MLKDay #OneClay #CCDS #EducationMatters #MLK2026

CEB students assisted Ms. Strickland with the morning announcements. Students led CEB in the Pledge of Allegiance and our school pledge. Great job bees! #oneteamonehive

Honey Makers of the Week Students filled their beehives for being responsible, innovative, confident, engaged, and reflective. Students received a treat, positive note home, and a ticket for a weekly t-shirt drawing. Bees Knees - Ms. Bishop Thank you to our CEB t-shirt sponsors: Sweet Sensations, Dale Wilson, P.A., Garber Auto Mall, and the Treasure Hut. Great job 🐝s! #oneteamonehive

🛡️ Safety, Prevention, and Family Fun!

This upcoming Saturday features the Pathways to Safety event—a day dedicated to empowering families with tools to protect children and teens from human trafficking, online exploitation, and missing persons.

It is a "Family Fun Day" that balances important education with a community atmosphere:

🚚 Food trucks and games for the whole family.

🎨 Kid-friendly activities designed for ages 5–17.

💡 Safety education and prevention tips for parents and educators.

🔍 Guidance on recognizing warning signs and how to report concerns.

The event is supported by several local partners, including the Clay County Sheriff's Office, the Northeast Florida Human Trafficking Coalition, and regional law enforcement.

Event Details:

🗓 Date: Saturday, January 24th

🕙 Time: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM

📍 Location: FSCJ Downtown Campus (101 West State Street)

🎟 Admission: Free and open to the public

#ClayCountySchools #PathwaysToSafety #CommunityResources #SafetyFirst #MakeAnImpact #OneClay

🗓️ Calendar Reminder: All Clay County District Schools and district offices will be closed this coming Monday, January 19, 2026, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

We look forward to seeing our students and staff back in the classroom on Tuesday, January 20th. Have a safe and meaningful holiday weekend!

#ClayCountySchools #MLKDay #OneClay #CalendarReminder

CEB's Gardening Club harvested and ate their vegetables. Students learned how to plant, take care of, and harvest an assortment of vegetables. Great job bees! #oneteamonehive

📢 BIG NEWS: The VPK Lottery is opening soon for Clay County District Schools!

Our Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten (VPK) options are designed to foster a love for learning and prepare your child for Kindergarten success in a fun, supportive, and engaging environment. 🍎

The lottery will be opening soon, so now is the perfect time to explore our sites and find the best fit for your family.

🔗 Get the details here: OneClay.net/VPK

Help us spread the word! Please share this post with any Clay County families who have a little learner ready to start their journey with us. 🔄

#OneClay #VPK #ClayCounty #EarlyLearning #ClayCountySchools

Clay County Day at the Jacksonville Icemen Game! 🏒🧊 Sunday, February 1st at 3:00 PM — Discounted tickets! 🎟️

Join us for an exciting afternoon of hockey and community spirit as the Jacksonville Icemen welcome all of Clay County! ⛸️ The Jacksonville Icemen are partnering with Clay County District Schools to provide a wonderful afternoon full of family, hockey, and fun. 🏫✨

Grab your discounted tickets here: 🔗 www.jaxicemen.com/claycounty26

Bonus: Be sure to stay after the game to come onto the ice for Shots on Net! 🥅🏒

Get your tickets today! 🙌

97% Graduation Rate. 100% Proud. 🎓

Congratulations to the Clay County District Schools Class of 2025! This incredible 97% graduation rate is a testament to the dedication of our students, our educators, and YOU—the community that cheers them on every step of the way.

Give this post a ❤️ to show how proud you are of our students and their amazing achievement!

A huge shoutout to our schools: 🌟 Clay Virtual Academy: 100% 🌟 Oakleaf High School: 99.3% 🌟 Fleming Island High School: 98% 🌟 Ridgeview High School: 97% 🌟 Clay High School: 97% 🌟 Middleburg High School: 96% 🌟 Orange Park High School: 94% 🌟 Keystone Heights Jr/Sr High: 91.2%

#ClayCountySchools #OneClay #GraduationSuccess #Classof2025 #ClayProud

📝 Check those grades!

Clay County families, second-quarter report cards have been officially posted. You can now view your student’s grades and progress through the Synergy ParentVUE portal.

How to access: 🔑 Log in to ParentVUE (app or web). 👤 Select your student. 📄 Click the "Report Card" tab.

#OneClay #ReportCards

Honey Makers of the Week Students filled their beehives for being responsible, innovative, confident, engaged, and reflective. Students received a treat, positive note home, and a ticket for a weekly t-shirt drawing. Bees Knees - Ms. Williams Thank you to our CEB t-shirt sponsors: Sweet Sensations, Dale Wilson, P.A., Garber Auto Mall, and the Treasure Hut. Great job 🐝s! #oneteamonehive

Bennett Bees read so many books during the second quarter. Students enjoyed ice cream for meeting Ms. Strickland's challenge of K-2 reading 20 books and 3rd-6th reading 10 chapter books. Students have the opportunity to earn a treat each day and ice cream each quarter. Great job Bennett Readers! #oneteamonehive

Bennett Bees have been working hard to improve their attendance. Students earned McDonald's Happy Meals for having perfect attendance for Quarter 2. Great job bees! #oneteamonehive

Cambridge Bee Award recipients were nominated by their teachers for always being responsible, innovative, confident, engaged, and reflective. Bees received a CEB backpack and painted their handprint outside the cafeteria. #oneteamonehive

This Friday, let’s show our Jacksonville Jaguars pride by gearing up in teal, black, and gold!

Clay County District Schools is proud to support the Jaguars as they take on the Buffalo Bills this Sunday. Let’s fill our schools with team spirit and show that Jaguars pride loud and proud!

#GoJags #JacksonvilleJaguars #OneClay

Kona Ice this Friday January 9, 2026. Prepay by Thursday January 8, 2026.

Order you Yearbook today!

The backpacks are packed, and the alarms are set! 🎒⏰

As our students return to class tomorrow morning after Winter Break, it’s the perfect time for a quick refresher on getting to school safely. Whether you walk, ride, or drive, we all play a part in keeping our school community safe.

Check out these tips to help us all arrive safe:

🚶 WALK SAFE! - Heads Up, Phone Down! Use sidewalks and cross only at corners and crosswalks. Look LEFT-RIGHT-LEFT before crossing. Be seen!

🚲 RIDE SAFE! (Bikes, E-Bikes, & E-Scooters) - Helmet On: It’s the LAW for riders under 16. Obey all stop signs and traffic lights. Ride with traffic and stay bright! Yield to walkers on the sidewalk.
⚡ E-Riders: You are fast and quiet. Drivers don't always expect you—be extra alert and slow down at intersections!

🚌 BUS SAFE! - Wait in a safe place well away from the road. Board or cross ONLY when the driver gives you the "OK" signal. Stay seated and keep the aisle clear.
Drivers: Please review the "School Bus Safety Rules" graphic below so you know exactly when you MUST stop! 🛑

🚗 DRIVE SAFE! - Slow down, especially in school zones. Look twice for kids at every intersection, driveway, and crosswalk. Give bikes 3 feet! Put the phone away and focus on the road.

Let's work together to make the first day back a safe one. Share this post with your students and neighbors to help spread the word!

We can't wait to see you tomorrow! ✨

#OneClay #SafetyandSecurity #HeadsUpClay #ArriveSafe #NewYear2026 #BackToSchool